Perpetual inventory device



Dec. 19 1944. H. A. LIVINGSTON PERPETUAL INVENTORY DEVICE Fl ed.Feb. 18, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet@ Qul/ 3 nvcntor:

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 19, 1944. H. A. LIVINGSTON PERPETUAL INVENTORY DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 194s Mmmm .O

Patented Dec.: y19, 1944 y y, l 2,365,283-

PERPETUAL lLNvENroRYiDEvIcE Harold A. Livingston, Hollywood, Calif. Application February 18, 1943,Serial No. 476,250

, 4 claims. (Ajol. 12s- 20) This invention relates to devices arranged for removably retaining items of record, such as tags, cards, prints, or items of a similar flat nature capable of being quickly inserted in and removed from receiving compartments or pockets.

In particular, the invention relates to devicesv of the type specified, which are of sheet orA leaf formation, capable of being bound together in the form of a book, preferably of the loose-leaf type, so that a complete, or at least a voluminous,

record may b e continuously maintained within a relatively small space.`

The invention applies especially to the keeping of an orderly, up-to-the-rninute inventory in a business establishment or the like, wherein stock on hand of variously sized, or otherwise differing articles is being continually depleted during the course of business and must be replenished in order that the stock be completely representative of a "line of goods, usually merchandise of one sort or another, such as Wearing apparel. As thus applied, the invention may be considered as providing a perpetual inventory device.

The principal. objects of the invention are to provide: I

First: A device that makes possible the kee ing of an inventory up-to-the-minute.

Second: An inventory record adapted to show at a glance the condition'of anv inventory from day to day.

Third: An inventory record whereby the individual articles of merchandise in an extensive and varied stock can be rapidly and conveniently` ascertained.

Fourth: A device that makes it possible to immediately note the need for restocking an article that has passed out of stock.

Fifth: A record device that is simple and convenient to operate.

Sixth: An inventory record that is accurate and reliable even if manipulated by unskilled persons.

Seventh: An inventory record that eliminates human fallibility to a. maximum degree.

Eighth: A holder for record items or the like which affords quick and easy insertion of .the individual record items into, and removal thereof from, any part of the holder, and which securely retains such record items in place during use.

In some lines of merchandising it is not only desirable, but absolutely necessary, that the merchant know accurately at all times the inventory status of his stock if he is tc conduct his business protably. An example of such a line is'k ladiesf undergarments, and more particularly,-brassires. yAs a result of having to supply many different styles and many different sizes in each style, the line of one manufacturer f may contain hundreds and even thousands of differentarticles. A merchant cannot afford to carry more than one or a few articles of each differentspecication, but must still see that his stock is substantially complete from day to day if vhe is not to losel sales.

In order to'record inventory stock rapidly and accurately, a photographic recording machine is'` used tol photograph tags attached to numerous individual articles of vany inventory individually on a traveling strip of sensitized hn in oneshot exposures. Y

The tags are advantageously numbered consecutively for record purposes. thus represented and identified by a distinct number, Whichappears preferably atthe head of its corresponding tag photograph. The rtag photograph contains in addition to the number, other data, such as style number, lot number, size, price, and so on, appertaining to the'particular article under consideration.

In due time the film is developed, and, in printing" the negative, the prints` may be enlarged to any requisite size. y y

By means of the present invention, the individual photographic `prints are rendered usable for the inventory` purposes hereinbefore described. To this end, the invention provides an assembling record item holder, including, advantageously, a stiff liber-board sheet having compartments or pockets .for displaying the Iprints in such va Way that `at least the lcharacter-` istic tag numberof each individual print is clearly and instantly readable. y

vSale of any article is followed'immediately by the removal from the holder of the print which corresponds to the tag carried by the article sold. If the individual, consecutively'numbered prints are assembled side-by-side and consecutively inthe holder, a glance,` at the` recorddevice vwill suffice tojapprise av person of the exact condition of the inventory. Removal of aprint leaves a blank space in the holder, and indicates that the particular article bearing the tag which correspondsvto the print has been sold. Theremoved print bears all the data necessary for replenishing the stock, and may beiusedas a memorandumior the purpose.

Other indexing and iling devices may be used 1n conjunction with the inventory vrecord device of the invention to lprovide a complete and Each article is' perpetual inventory record system. The nature'wx Fig. '8, a fragmentary end elevation of that of such auxiliary devices may differ according to the type of business and inventory concerned. For example, it may be desirable to post the complete data from each tag photograph in a card index system, to a card of which is applied the date of sale of the particular article concerned and other pertinent -information not appearing on the tag or on the photographic print of the tag, But, in all instances, the several recording devices making up the Ycomplete inventory record system Will be correlated, one with the others, so the system may be used as a unit.

Since insertion of the individual prints in and removal thereof from the record yholder of the invention is usually effected many times during. the course of business, and is desirably accom'- plished rapidly, the record holder should be adapted structurally for the purpose.

Accordingly, and pursuant to the invention, the print-receiving compartments or pockets of the holder are preferably `formed in multiple by securing the rlower edges of pocket-forming strips to a base sheet in such manner as to provide a tight friction grip for the prints adjacent the secured edges of the strips.` These pocket-forming strips are preferably left so the upper por tions thereof may be flexed outwardly fromA the base sheet to release, or at least to ease, the friction. grip and thus facilitate removal of one or more of the prints. Itis desirable that protective strips be provided internally of each pocket4 for covering the securing means employedY in the forming of a next higher pocket, so there will be no obstructing projections internally of the pockets. Such protectivestripsare desirablyof such a nature as will enhance the normal friction grip of the pockets; on the received prints at the lower portions thereof,` thereby insuring against movement of the prints relative to one another within such` receiving pockets, without interfering with or slowing the insertion of the prints in and removal thereof -from the holder.

Further obiects`4 and feature-s of 'the invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of the preferred specific embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig.l 1 represents 'a planview of one faceA of a sheet or leaf of .a loose-leaf inventory record bookk pursuant to the invention, all the record items being in place, but intermediate. portions of the holder being broken out for convenience of illustration;

Fig. 2, a fragmentary section taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, and considerably enlarged;

Fig. 3, an enlargement of a fragment of the sheet or leaf of Fig. l,k certain hidden parts being exposed by breaking away structure in the foreground;

Fig. 4a fragmentaryv section taken on the line Fig. 5, an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line` 5-4-5, Fig. 3, wherein both faces of the item holder appear, rcord items being positioned within the pocket of only that vface which appears in Figs. 1 `and 3,;

6, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 5, but illustrating how a spring-clamping action is imparted to the item holder;` n

Fig. 7, a View corresponding to that of Fig. 1, but slightly enlarged and showingseveral of the record items removed in accordance with inven.

tory depletion;

portion of the record device which is illustrated in Fig. 5, emphasizing the advantageous combination produced by the use of roll-type photographic prints as compared with ordinary flat tags or the like; and

Fig. 9, a view corresponding to that of Fig. 5, but illustrating a somewhat modified embodiment of item holder pursuantto the invention.

'I'heinventory record of the invention is provided by a plurality of'individual record items, here indicated 9, so assembled and arranged as to form a visual pattern representative of a stock of goods on hand, see Fig. l. The several record items are individually removable from and replaceable in the visual pattern, thus making it possible to keep the inventory record up-tothe minute, see Figi'l. Accordingly, the visual pattern is constantly indicative of the condition. of an inventory during the course of business.

One or more other record devices (not illustrated) such as a card index system, record journal, and the like, may be used in conjunction with the visual pattern of the instant device, so that a ready reference is provided, affording complete inventory data corresponding to the respective members of the visual pattern.

As stated hereinbefore, the individual record items are advantageously photographic prints of identifying tags which are usually attached to articles of merchandise, and, besides data identifying the article and giving pertinent. facts concerning the same, such as style, size, price, cost, etc., bear special indicia particularly for inventory purposes. The respective indicia of all the prints are correlated, making possible the intelligible, visual pattern above mentioned.

It is preferable that the indicia comprise consecutive numbers, each print bearing one of the numbers, and that the several prints be disposed `in side-by-side relationship with the inventory be provided in a variety of different Ways, the individual record itemsk and the means for assem# bling the same maybe of any construction affording the desired results, namely, the formation of an intelligible, easily read, visual pattern which may be varied to suit the changing conditions of an inventory, and which is representative of the various articles making up the inventory.

In the case of the photographic'prints4 above mentioned, and of any similar inventory items, it is advantageous that the assembling ormounting means be a holder of sheet formation provided With receiving pockets.

The illustrated holder comprises a sheet Hll of relatively sti material, such as hard ber board, capable of holding its sheet formation under the load of attached pocket structure and of received, extraneous, record items. The sheet Il) should be as thin as is consistent with the maintaining of proper rigidity, so as to keep structural bulk to a minimum.

Since it is often desirable t'o group a number of the item holders together in order to accommodate a large inventoryJt is advantageous that the sheets be equippedfor loose-leaf binding into book formation.

A preferable and novel loose-leaf construction is illustrated in Figs. land 2. Here, a marginal binder strip lll-I, perforated as at Il, to. receive the usual rings or posts of a conventional looseleaf binder (not shown) is tightly, yet articulaat both faces of the joinder crack I3 adjacent thel n back edge of holder sheet I9, so that holder sheet I9 may be freely swung relative to the binder strip Ill-I.

In order to make the resulting joinder rugged,

one or more lines of thread stitching I4 are advantageously provided laterally of the joinder crack I3, and at least one similar line of stitching I5 is provided at and along the joinder crack I3.

The stitching I4 binds together the fabric strips and holder sheet I9, inl one instance, and the fabric strips and binder strip IIl-I in the other instance, while the stitching I5 completes, in effect, a strong hinge joint between the holder sheet and binder strip.

A plurality of receiving pockets I 6, see especially Fig. 5, are formed transversely across the width of holder sheet I, extending from top to botto-m thereof in substantially parallel relationship, by securing to either one or both faces of such holder sheet I9 (both faces in the present instance) a corresponding plurality of elon- V' gated stiiily resilient strips Il. It is preferred that these pocket-forming strips Il be of relatively thin and hard fibre board, since this material has been found to possess the desired property of stiff resilency in avery suitable degree.

The pocket-forming strips Il are secured adjacent their lower edges, and along the lengths thereof, to the holder sheet l0, and are preferably arranged in overlapping relationship in order to provide a considerable number of pockets I6 over the face or faces of the holder sheet. The overlapping arrangement also accomplishes another purpose, as explained hereinafter.

`The securement is desirably effected by wire staples I8 placed at intervals along the lengths of the respective strips, although other means, such as thread stitching or even strong adhesive, may conceivably be employed. The wire staples, however, are especially advantageous because of their relative inilexibility` and positive holding action, see Fig. 4. The positive anchorage of the respective pocket-forming strips along lines substantially parallel with the lower edges of such strips, see Fig. 3, provides clean-cut lines of bend along the lengths of the strips, which, because of the resiliency of the strips, enables the individual record items 9 to be wedged firmly into place during insertion, and insures positive holding action thereon following insertion.

the upper edges of the pocket-forming strips I1.

Securing of the lower marginsof such pocketforming strips tightly to the face or facesof the holder` sheet I0, means that the remainder of the resilient pocket-forming strips will be vurged under spring tension toward such face or faces of the holder sheet I0, resulting in the creation of the above-mentioned elongated clamping zones B along the lower edges of these pocket-forming strips which are respectively disposed immediately labove, other pocket-forming strips. Thus, the record items 9 are effectively and automatically clamped intoplace intermediate their 'lower and upper edges immediately upon being inserted within theV receiving pockets Iii-this being in addition` to the holding action exerted upon their lower margins by the bottoms of the pockets. Stapling at A-A causes spring action on bearing In order to facilitate insertion of the record items 9 within the recivingpockets I6 and removal of such record items therefrom, the lateral sides or ends of the pocket-forming strips I'I are left free, unsecured to the holder sheet I9, see Fig. 8. Accordingly, and because of the resilient nature ofthe pocket-forming strips I1 and of their overlapping arrangement on the holder. ,sheet I0, the upper portions of such pocket-forming strips do not bear tightly against the face or faces of the holder sheet I9, but project slightlyr outwardly therefrom, providing open entrance to `the receiving pockets I6 at all times, see especially Figs. 5, 8 and `9. The resulting V-formation of the receiving pockets I6 favors-quick and positiveinsertion of the record items 9 through the relatively wide mouth, and downwardly, into se,-

' curely clamped positions within the pockets.

CII

The staplng is accomplished as shown in Fig. 6,

diate clamping zones, indicated B, within the pockets I6 between the secured lower margins and Removal of such record items from the pockets is accomplished readily by the user of the record device by merely applying the finger-tips to flex the pocket-forming strips I 1 farther outwardly, thereby loosening the clamping action'thereof on the record items. This latter action is possible, ofcourse, because the lateral sides or ends of the pocket-forming strips II are free and unsecured. f

It should'be noted that, when a plurality of these record item holders are bound together in the form of a record book, the pocket-forming strips I'l, together with the contents of the receiving pockets I6, arepressed fiat against the holder sheets I0 while the record book is closed, thus making for compactness. t g

It is desirable thaty the staples ,I8 .be covered so there will be no interference to insertion of the record items within the receiving pockets. This is preferably accomplished by applying elongated strips 29 of gummed fabric tape to the face or faces of the holder I9 along the lines of stapling. Such cover strips 20 also, desirably, serve as friction strips for enhancing the holding action of the pockets I6 on the record items 9. The usual gummed fabric tape is advantageous, because it possesses a relatively rough, woven face which provides a considerably greater fricti`onal coefficient than does the smooth, `hard face of the bre board h'older sheet I.A Nevertheless, such woven face is sufficiently hard to allow the record items 9 to be easilyslipiped thereover during insertion.'

It can be seen, however, that the cover strips 20 may be of .any material which provides the desired cover for the staples I8 or which provides b oth the cover and the. friction grip for the received record items. Also, friction strips Iples I8 be employed.

may be advantageously yprovided even -though some means of securement other than the sta The strips zn, whether they be 'merely cover strips or both cover and-friction strips,are preferably wider than the pocket-forming strips I1, and it is desirable that they be disposed with their lower edges substantially even with the lower edges of the next lowerl `pocket-forming strips, see Fig. 3. 'In this way, and because of the overlapped arran'gement'ofthe pocket-forining strips, these adhesive strips 2U cover the staples I 8of respective pocket-forming strips I1, and are themselves securely stapled between the holder sheet I and the 'respective `pocketforming strips whichtare next below those whose securing staples I8 are covered. This means thatthe entire structure of the item holder is strongly reinforced and securely tied together. At least some of the zones of adhesiveness of the strips are indicated at 28. This construction insures a high degree Yof structural integrity.

While the use of cover or cover-friction strips is advantageous, it is not absolutely necessary. Fig. 9 illustrates an embodimen'tin whichthe staples are not covered.

The record items 9 are'ill-ustrated as photographic prints of individual identifying tags of the type customarily applied to articles of merchandise. Such photographic -prints result from the use of the photographic recording machine mentioned hereinbefore, and are somewhat arcuate in form, as -illustrated, the effective face thereof being concave. The arcuate formation follows naturally from the making on a roll of paper, of a sequential Series of positive prints from a sequential series of negative exposures formed on a roll of motion picture film by use of vthe above-mentioned photographic recording machine, the individual prints being severed from the rolled strip of iprints. Fig. 3 illustrates these photographic prints as they actually'appear, with sprocket holes along lateral edges thereof, but in Figs. 1 and Y'the sprocket holes are omitted for sake of convenience of illustration.

These arcuately-formed photographic prints provide an ideal inventory record device when mounted in the item holder'of the invention, since their peculiar configuration cooperates with'the receiving pocket structure of such item holder to enhance their friction fitwithin the receiving pockets, see especially Figs. 5 and 3, and to facilitate their removal from the receiving pockets. By comparing in Fig. 8 the position of the at tag 25 within its receiving pocket I6, with the position of any onecof the arcuately formed photographic prints 9 within their respective receiving pockets I6, the 'advantages of the rolltype photographic prints, in combination with the item holder, can be easily seen. The curved intermediate portion 9a lof each of such photographic prints normally'hugs the'inner surface of its receiving pocket I6, bearing against a friction strip 20, if -such is provided, while the upper edge portion 9b curves outwardly from the item holder, so it may be quickly and easily grasped by the user of the record device'for the purpose of removing the print when required, see the nger in Fig. 5. y

Whereas this'inventienlhas been illustrated' and described withrespect to certain'preferred specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood that 'various` changes'rriayy'be rna'dein such embodiments and 'various 'other embodiments may be constructed by 'those skilled in the art without departing' from vthe spirit "andgenerie of said holder sheet and being secured along itsy lower margin to said holder sheet, but being otherwise free and unsecured with its upper' marginal edge free and unretained, so the said strip may be ilexed outwardly from said holder sheet, wire staples securing the lower margins of said pocket-forming strips to said holder sheet, said record items beingdisposed within said receiving pockets in side-by-side relationship with upper portions thereof protruding beyond the upper marginal edges of the respective yI'aocket-for'ming strips and outwardly of the said pockets, and friction strips covering the secured lower margins of `said pocket-forming strips for sheathing the said wire staples and aiding in the retention of said record items by said receiving pockets.

2. A holder for record items comprising a substantially rigid holder sheet; a plurality of stiilly resilient pocket-forming strips arranged in substantially parallel, overlapping relationship, each strip extending4 transversely of the width of said holder sheet and being secured alongits lower margin to said holder sheet, and each strip except the uppermost having its upper marginal `edge portion overlapping the secured lower margin of the next upper pocket-forming strip but being otherwise free and unsecured, so the strip may be flexed outwardly from said holder sheet, said pocket-forming strips forming respective elongated receiving pockets extending transversevly of the width of said holder sheet, each having lstantially parallel, overlapping relationship, each strip extending transversely of the width of said holder sheetand being secured along its lower margin to said holder sheet, and each strip except the uppermost having its upper marginal edge portion overlappingr the secured lower margin of the next upper pocket-forming strip but being otherwise free and unsecured, so'the strip `may be flexed outwardly from said holder sheet,

said pocket-forming strips forming respective elongated receiving pockets extending transversely of the width of said holder sheet,'each having a"cons'tantly'open mouth, and each being adapted to receive a plurality of record itemsin side-byside relationship; wire staples securing the lower margin of said pocket-forming strips to said holder sheet; and friction strips covering the secured lower margins of said pocket-forming strips Yand vsheathing the said wire staples.

4. A'n inventory record device, con'iprisingv a holder ofsheet formation; and a plurality of sub- .may be flexed outwardly from said holder sheet,

said pocket-forming strips forming elongated receiving pockets extending transversely of the width of said holder sheet and said record items being disposed Within said receiving pockets in side-by-side relationship with upper portions thereof protruding fbeyond the upper marginal edges of the respective pocket-forming strips and outwardly of the said pockets; and friction strips covering the secured lower margins of said pocket-forming strips for aiding inthe retention of said record'iterns by said receiving pockets.

HAROLD A. LIVINGSTON. 

